Will the New York Knicks Miss out to the Brooklyn Nets

This was supposed to be the offseason the New York Knicks had been waiting for. They were the talk of the trade deadline, not because they were making moves, but because of the buzz surrounding their 2019 offseason. It’s supposed to be the year the draft class was deep enough to find a star to build around. The year where superstar players like Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant were heavily favored to land in NY. The year they freed up enough cap to afford them. Then, the luck of the Knicks struck again.

Knicks fans wanted Zion Williamson but didn’t end up with the top pick.

That’s okay, there’s still Durant and Kyrie.

Then, of course, Durant rushes himself back to try and save the Warriors season and tears an ACL on already hobbled legs. Now there’s talk Kyrie Irving will more than likely land with the Brooklyn Nets and between them and the New York Knicks, the Nets are in a better position to wait for an injured superstar to be healthy. After all, the Nets finished 6th in the Eastern Conference while the Knicks finished with the worst record in the NBA.

And its not all about wins and losses. Two superstars like Durant and Irving would elevate any team to more wins than the previous season but even the Nets have a better supporting staff. Statistically, the Nets finished higher in points, offensive/defensive rebounds, and assists. The only stats the Knicks bested the Nets? Steals and blocks, which only look good on paper if you can’t turn them into points.

The Knicks can’t even use the illusion of playing in New York City to their appeal. Madison Square Garden is only 5 miles from the Barclays Center. It’s only a 5 minute more ride to Yankee Stadium. Neither is that far from Time Square. Basically, the nightlife will be the same no matter what. So if you’re Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, are you going to a team where you’ll have to shoulder the load, face the debacle that is the New York Knicks front office, on a team that hasn’t competed since the days of Patrick Ewing? Or are you taking your talents a hop, skip, and jump away to the Nets who made the playoffs last year, have support players to not rush back from injuries, and a better shot at long term sustainability, all while having the same lifestyle?

As much as fans won’t admit it, this might be the most New York Knicks offseason as any.